Bipartisan legislation recently cosponsored by U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) would reauthorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives, which support American dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy products.
“The dairy industry is an essential part of the American economy. It is crucial that we provide the resources that dairies in Tennessee need to expand and create new products,” Sen. Blackburn said on Monday. “With many small Tennessee dairies struggling to remain open, this bill will allow these businesses to diversify and expand their market competitiveness.”
The Dairy Business Innovation Act of 2023, S. 2267, which Sen. Blackburn introduced on July 12 alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), would authorize a yearly funding increase for DBI Initiatives to $36 million per year from $20 million a year.
S. 2267 aims to bolster the DBI Initiatives to help more American dairy farmers and processors add value to their businesses, such as by creating new products, expanding their markets, and updating their production facilities, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Blackburn’s staff.
“I’ve heard directly from dozens of Wisconsin dairies that have expanded their businesses thanks to the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, and I’m proud to lead the charge to ensure this program has the resources it needs to help more businesses innovate and grow for the future,” said Sen. Baldwin.
The legislation is endorsed by the National Milk Producers Federation, Organic Valley, and the International Dairy Foods Association.